Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Singapore elections | opposition candidate apology to citizens on behalf of Lee Kuan Yew

Popular NSP candidate for Marine Parade GRC Nicole Seah delivered a surprise apology to the Muslim community in Singapore for comments made by PAP walkover MP for Tanjong Pagar Lee Kuan Yew in his controversial book “Hard Truths to keep Singapore going.”

Lee has suggested in his book that the “surge” of Islam has hampered integration of the Malays.

“I think we were progressing very nicely until the surge of Islam came and if you asked me for my observations, the other communities have easier integration — friends, intermarriages and so on…” he stated.

He opined that Singapore Muslims should be less strict on their religion in order to integrate better into Singapore society:

“I think the Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate,” Lee added, calling on the community to “be less strict on Islamic observances.”

His comments sparked a massive outcry among Singaporeans, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike forcing Lee to issue a statement a week later that he “stand corrected by his words.”

Speaking to a crowd of 15,000 at Mountbatten last night, Nicole Seah[Right] said:

“On behalf of the Chinese Singaporeans, I would like to apologise to the Muslim community for the comments that MM Lee made.”

The number of fans on Nicole’s Facebook has now exceeded that of Lee Kuan Yew, making her the most popular politician in Singapore’s cyberspace. - The Temasek Review



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